National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green Kentucky

 Vacation is about making Dreams Come True!  D had spotted the National Corvette Museum on Tik Tok 🤷🏻‍♀️, this was all he has talked about for weeks, so we made a trip, he test drove (did the simulator), and drooled over the cars.  This is the life of being a “boy mom”......🏎💙

The National Corvette Museum is a must for car lovers of all ages!  It is well designed, gives the full history of corvettes, corvette racing, and the great sinkhole that happened at the museum.

 

The simulator is every little boy’s dream!  Driving a fast car like the pros.  

GaGa & Grandpa Dillard. ❤️

Every year the week before Memorial Day Weekend, I take my kiddos to the graveyard to spruce up my Grandparent’s and Aunt Lois’ grave.  I pray that this tradition will become just as important to them as it is to me.   Remembering our ancestors and heritage is just as important as planning for our future.  

We miss them, but heaven is better than earth.  🌸❤️

Most Patriotic Small town in Southeast Missouri

WE WIN!  I declare it!  Most Patriotic Small town in Southeast Missouri - Maybe even in Missouri.  ❤️🤍💙

The Bollinger County Courthouse LOOKS AMAZING!  If you did not see it tonight, go see it this weekend, I believe that the wreath will be placed Friday at the memorial.  Thank you to those who decorated at the courthouse! 

Bunting was waving tonight over Crooked Creek!  Flags are up at Twin City Park and Railroad Park.  

Not featured in this post is EC Reed's Mercantile and Hotel- Marble Hill, Missouri, but hop to their page and see their cute display! 

Flags will go up this weekend at Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery, YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST GO SEE THEM!   (Also no photo shown, will feature later this week)

Lots of photo opportunities!  Come see us in Bollinger County, Missouri. 

Greatest Mission Field Ever

 Last night as I rode the spin bike at the gym I listened to Slightly Offensive's podcast regarding the Capitol intrusion on the 6th.  (https://youtu.be/fpNHAuw-K_k) Some parts of the broadcast I agreed with some I disagreed.  

People I personally know say Antifa was on the grounds - Elijah Schaffer says it was just a bunch of high emotions and hyped-up young men.

Regardless who it was, the last 5 minutes of his video gets very real, he talks about where we are as a nation – there have been one too many threats of Civil War – what the 6th did was just make American’s madder.

Some were so appalled they intruded the Capitol (apparently it is sacred), some were appalled that they were able to intrude the Capitol (apparently it should secure), and some are appalled that right leaners would even protest let alone charge the Capitol.

There are so many questions, but there is a lot to be learned from this.

1. We have a president in office and a president coming into office that no one really wants.  Most of us didn’t support Trump his first run (don’t lie – be truthful – I will -  I voted for Ben Carson and would do it again).  Joe Biden did not have the backing of his own party until like June or July of 2020 – the election was November.   We as a nation were voting for the person we hated less.  We have been doing that for years.  We do that every election on every level.  This should scare the (insert your choice word) out of us.  This should not be normal.

2. We are post 9/11, nearly 20 years post 9/11, how in the world did a bunch of unarmed “patriots” take the Capitol Building while armed police officers stood there?  Why were there cheap flimsy barricades when DC was expecting 1 million what many of them refer to as deplorable rebels?  I mean really? I would have thought you could get to Fort Knox easier than the Capitol building on January 6th that was supposed to be such an important day in history.

3. How far are we going to push the American people?   How far is Bill de Blasio, Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, Nancy Pelosi, AOC (which I had to google in early 2020 to even know who that was), and the other elitist going to push the working-class Americans?   How much or how little are we going to allow the media and big tech to manipulate us?

The frontline journalist, the ones capturing the footage that CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX uses to twist their story, are saying we are on the brink of a revolution or civil war. Americans are to the point of SNAPPING.  THIS should scare every single American and January 6th should be a wake up to our government leaders, this can happen and this is not far from happening.

We as American Christians need to put our differences aside and start praying – really praying – not just praying on Sunday morning led by the pastor.  We need to fall to our knees (or like me run hard) and cry out to God to lead us.  Forget mercy, forget begging for blessings, BEG for God to lead us.  Beg for him to lead all people.  Beg for hearts to be softened and turned over to God.

Christians - we NEED to reach our people.  We need to do more than call for peace on social media, we need get off our butts and work for peace.   We need to get out of comfort zones and leave the “issues” and politics behind and build peace.   Planting lettuce is peaceful (read next week's Banner Press for more details).

Our government leaders on EVERY SINGLE LEVEL need to turn their chair over to God.   They cannot run this country without him.   He will rule with or without them. He will rule and rebuild after they destroy.  If you are in leadership, take the easy way out, and humble yourself to God.  Beg him to lead you so you can lead others.

We need to STOP counting Covid deaths and START counting the TRUE Causality those that died that we did not have the chance to share the LOVE of Jesus with.  Those that did not see the amazing love of Christ.   We need to count the number of people that will not be in heaven with us.  Think about that.  Your neighbor, your brother, your mother, your child may not be in heaven because you did not do what God calls you to do.  Let that causality sink in.  Your neighbor, your brother, your mother, your child may burn in hell because you did not do what Christ calls you to do.

We need to pray for revolution, not a revolution of our Government, but a revolution against sin.  We need to pray God storms not only our Capitol Building, the White House, but the streets of every town across this great nation and hearts are changed.

Christians – this is not the end – Churches this is not the end – this is the Greatest Mission Field ever and he is calling you.

(note the photo is a photo from 8/7/2016 when OUR community wrapped Woodland School in prayer.  To my knowledge this is the last time this many Christians and Churches came together in our community - we need to change that- change starts at home.)

The Selfishness of the Pandemic

 I saw this meme floating around social media a few weeks back.  A woman had posted “this spoke to me”...

The meme is true, some of the best teachers were virtual.  However, this does not make the case for online learning.

Until the pandemic I never realized how selfish some people really are.  They think they are making their case and maybe they are, but they are not making the case for everyone.  

Virtual learning might work for some, but a majority it does not, so don’t be a jerk and preach why we should all go virtual. 

Virtual learning causes an unnecessary hardship for lower income parents.  Sure it’s easy to hire a babysitter and tutor when you make a six digit salary, but six digit salaries are not made by the working class.  I have heard the cries of the CNA’s, ya know the ones who are feeding your grandma and grandpa, as they juggle their kids “virtual” school, bounce their kids from multiple sitters, and try like hell to not make you mad with their frustrations of school not being open.  

Virtual learning causes an unnecessary struggles for kids with special learning needs.  Sure your kid can learn multiplication from The Magic School Bus while you cut star shaped cookies and let them figure how many points you created.  However your neighbor down the street has an extra chromosome and needs their specially trained teacher to help them learn to tie their shoe daily.  Their mom really tries to fill the void, manage the Google hangout, somehow keep her boss off her back as she is now working from home, and not make you mad by venting her frustrations.  

Not everyone can afford to “self-isolate”...Oh you want the kids to quarantine so you can get a day off.  That’s special, but did you call the small business owner to see how they felt about it?  You know the one who’s business name is on your kids soccer shirt?  Sure it might be fun to take an extra day off, go hunting as self-isolation, or catch up on your soaps, but your local market owner is praying nonstop they can just keep the doors open and make a little money.  They don’t need a day off.  They can’t afford to take a day off. 

We are all not the same.  We all can’t handle this “pandemic” the same.  So don’t be a jerk and share the meme’s to prove your point, because your point is not everyone’s point. 

Jesus is our Savior

Regardless of where we live or who our leaders are, we are subject to one of two kingdoms: God’s Kingdom and Satan’s Kingdom.  

Even in China there are Christians.  Think about that.  Even in China where people are living under communism the Christian Faith is growing.  

Jesus is King over all mankind, and he is represented on earth by those who love him. 

As we Christians we must keep in mind that our allegiance is not to a political party or a particular leader, but to the King of Kings.

Regardless who our leader is, we must depend on God for our ultimate leadership.  We cannot allow who is president of the United States dictate what we do and how we believe.  

As we approach the holiday season, instead of dread what is looming in January, I beg to spread the joy of Jesus to all around.  

Instead of clicking to ship, visit your local stores and talk to the owners, they also are feeling weariness of this all.  

Instead of mailing your Christmas Cards; hand deliver them and remind your neighbors that you love them.  

Instead of purchasing pre-signed cards; write a note of love and hope so they know you care more than printed ink.  

Instead of buying the next big electronic; buy hours of quality time to generate life in our weary souls.  

President Trump and Vice President Biden are not our Saviors; Jesus is our Savior and let’s practice that belief this holiday season.  

“For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.” Psalms‬ ‭22:28‬ ‭‬‬

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” Proverbs‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭‬‬

(Photo Credit: not really sure; these are old photos I have collected of Bollinger County, Missouri.)

My Dad, My Veteran

This morning as I headed out with my husband to hang the flags at the Bollinger County Veterans Memorial, I thought about just how precious each of those names etched on the large piece of granite are. 

My Dad is an Army Veteran, unlike many of my friends, I was not around when my dad was active duty.   I never knew the feeling of my dad leaving and not knowing when he would return.  

When I was about 16 years old, I realized that even though I was not what they call an "Army Brat" the years my dad served were very important and it was then that he became that Veteran that I cherish and love.

Now twenty years later Veterans Day is one of my favorite holidays. Not because I get a day off from work, but it is a day for me to reflect and think about those Army stories that my dad would share over the dinner table when I was just a child.  

If you know my dad, you know he is a world class story teller, he can capture your attention in a matter of seconds and hold you until the very last word; not to mention he has a great voice.

When I was a child dinner time was important at our house, something major had to happen for one person not be around the dinner table, Dad was insistent on this. 

Around that kitchen table was where I learned of my Dad's military background, while he often joked that he just guarded a trash can and a light pole, there was more to the story.

He would reminiscence of those long nights away from Bollinger County, he defeated the biggest battle, the battle of being jerked away from our small community and his family, shipped to a foreign land just months after he graduated high school.  My dad like many others his age was drafted during one of the scariest times we had ever faced, the Vietnam War. 

Dad was stationed in Germany, that is where he learned a few German commands that he would often bark at the dinner table to make us laugh.  I have also seen a few pictures of him while he was in Germany, he looked much different back then.  

In more recent years, I learned that my dad went through Basic Training with several Bollinger County Men ,  he refers to them as the "Big Five".  He once admitted to me the anxiety he would feel in training when someone he knew would have to take their turn on the obstacle course, he was always afraid that one of his buddies would not make it, but they always did.  

Somewhere in the middle of those stories my Dad became one of my Hero's and it is an honor to say my dad is a Veteran. 

Today it makes my heart so full to watch him and his local VFW buddies perform Graveside Services, be present at local events, and listen to them laugh over their days in service, they have great fun sharing and remembering. 

Rather your Veteran fought the greatest battle or just guarded a trash can; they served, they worked, and they protected us!   

Honor our Veterans, hold them close to us, and remember who they are!

God Bless our Veterans, God Bless our Military, God Bless the USA! 

( This is a copy of my column from this weeks The Banner Press, please support our local paper.)